Secret Ugg Wearer

It seems strange to be writing about UGG's in a glorious spell of weather but its at this time of year I reluctantly have to take them off and replace them with a lighter summer shoe.

I'm a secret fan off Ugg boots - it's a love / hate relationship. I got my first pair whilst living in Australia where in the middle of winter in a wooden house with no heating they are something of a necessity. It gets nowhere near as cold as a winter here but almost every Australian has a pair of Uggs, chunky socks, big jumper and a snugly blanket for winter evenings in front of the TV.

At the time (2003) there was a bit of a boho fashion thing going on - denim skirts with Ugg's. In Sydney all the cool surfer girls and boys wore Uggs all day. When I got back to the UK the look was here but very much in the domain of the footballers wives wannabes and decidedly chav. The Ugg boot has skirted around the edge of fashion for the last few years - they're a bit like crocs - you either love them or hate them (Crocs actually make me feel nauseous).

Now I think Uggs have passed their moment for a fashionable look (at least in the UK) but I just can't say goodbye to mine - they're perfect for sewing in! So my Uggs have become part of my sewing uniform and I wear them in the house as slippers. The sole is good enough to venture into the garden without ruining them and at a pinch I can go to the corner shop. The only problem is I got caught short with a last minute invite to a private view after a day at the studio - I had a complete fashion trauma as a had to go in my Uggs - I didn't feel at all right!

Anyway if you're going to buy Ugg's there's some things you need to know.....

If you've ever looked into buying a pair you'll know they're pretty expensive - a Classic Short pair from Ugg Australia costs £149.99 (plus £5 delivery). There's always a lot of talk about real Uggs and fake Uggs and it gets very confusing - the first thing you need to know is what an Ugg boot is.

Ugg in Australia means an Australian Sheepskin Boot - they became popular amongst sheep shearers in Australia in the 1920's - initially called "ugly boots". In Australia there are many different brands producing Ugg boots - the name refers to a style of shoe like a clog or trainer.

The confusion abour 'real' or 'fake' centres around the "Ugg Australia" brand - an American company with the name "Deckers Outdoor Corporation". The Ugg Australia brand with its American money has done a great job at promoting the idea of the Ugg boot to the whole world but guess what - Ugg Australia boots are made in China! Because they're made in China and are a massive global brand they have been a big target for counterfeits, which is quite ironic as the boots they produce are essentially copies of an Australian product!

I buy my Ugg's from an Australian company - Shearer's Uggs - all their Ugg boots are hand-made in Australia from the finest Australian Sheepskin - you can't get better. Every boot you buy online is handmade for your order, they're cheaper at £72 (plus £20 p&p from Oz), better quality and you know exactly who's getting the money - the Sydney based company and it's workers!